International kissing day!

Today, the 6th of July is International kissing day! Its origins are unclear – legend has it a dentist office invented it as part of a publicity campaign – it is now celebrated in countries all over the world. The longest kiss on record lasted 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds on 12th – 14th February 2013. The first onscreen kiss was shot in 1896 and caused protests upon the film’s release, and the film with the most kisses is still 1926’s Don Juan with 127. Until 1968 in American films, couples were only allowed to kiss for a few seconds at a time and if a couple was shown kissing on a bed there had to be at least 1 foot on the floor.

Couples are expected to gather outside the Minster in York tomorrow, below the Heart of Yorkshire window – one of the most famous stained glass windows in Europe. The window is said to bring luck in love to couples who kiss beneath it, as many shall do today at 12pm.